A PhD in Horribleness

[tealin]

The fact that this was on a children's show says pretty much all there is to say about the difference between UK and US audiences ... or at least everything I want to say about my perception of the two.

Comments

[ladysugarquill]

LOL! That was awesome, so funny. Poor guys ^-^u

I don't see anything that makes me go "man, in a children's show?", but that's probably another cultural difference (I'm from Argentina). What show is this?

[infiniteviking]

Oh dear. *cacklesnort*

[catmoran.livejournal.com]

I'm USian, and my parents raised me on Monty Python. Make of that what you will.

[octaveleap.livejournal.com]

I didn't know Horrible Histories was a TV show too! I have a bunch of their books. They're SO neat.

Good stuff! I'd totally show it to MY kids. :^)

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

That, my dear, is because you are awesome. :D

[danicarip.livejournal.com]

Same here! :D Also a lot of Blackadder and such...

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

I was raised on puns, irony, and Watership Down ... it's possible, but we're definitely not in the majority. Not enough to influence broadcasters anyway.

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah, I never had this kind of stuff to laugh about as a U.S. kid, but oddly enough, my parents always allowed me to watch replays of the Pee-Wee Herman Show, but never Barney....oh well, I saved myself a huge trauma by skipping past that series and into the hyperness of Pee-Wee! :)

[spence137.livejournal.com]

But US children's television has Paul Rudd:

http://videogum.com/archives/childrens-television/paul-rudd-dances-on-sesame-str-1_063921.html

[uberklutz.livejournal.com]

Yep, raised by a cup of coffee... and Monty Python, Black Adder, and Ripping Yarns. It's weird to think that there are people out there who don't "get" Monty Python.

[(Anonymous)]

I laughed so hard at that sketch, I don't think Sesame Street will ever be the same again! xD

[adalanne.livejournal.com]

Make them muppets and this could totally be on Sesame Street. ^_^ But fab.

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

... Wow, you are so right. (Now I want to see that ...) You know, I've thought in the past that the Muppets are some of the only American entertainment to have a British sense of humour and delivery. I had thought this more in regards to The Muppet Show and their movies and such, but yeah, it extends to Sesame Street as well ... at least Sesame Street before the Elmo Coup.

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

Bwahaha, that comment they screencapped ... sigh, whenever I feel like I'm gaining confidence in humanity the YouTube comments section sets me straight.

[adalanne.livejournal.com]

Historical reenactment, literature parody, TV spoofs, everything's better with Muppets. (Side note: Thinking of things Muppets could make better, I tried to come up with something that would be completely off-kilter for Sesame Street and came up with Law & Order: SVU. A quick google and I found out that, yeah, Sesame Street did L&O: Special Letters Unit. Oh yeah, so much love.)

You've really got me thinking now, though, about the differences between American and British TV, and comparing it to the differences between YA book covers that sarahtales was just talking about. I haven't really drawn any conclusions, but it's fun to think about.

[rebelsketcher.livejournal.com]

We have this kind of humour too (Australia) so it's kinda normal for us :D Given that the books themselves have a rather alternative way of informing kids about history, I'd guess seeing it in motion would already mean they're used to it :D

[anathelen.livejournal.com]

Horrible Histories is a TV show?! *runs, does not walk, to her nearest browser window with youtube open in it*

[omgsellie.livejournal.com]

I wish the US had shows like this. I bought a couple of those books while I was in London :D I think they're just brilliant.

[putri-nih.livejournal.com]

ICON LOVE

[mizlobelia.livejournal.com]

Was Elmo post-Henson? I think he was.

[mizlobelia.livejournal.com]

Of course, thanks to you I have now wasted a good amount of time looking at Horrible History videos. Love the Terrible Tudors! I will have to forward this one to my friend who played Scott in "Terra Nova".

[onlysleeping.livejournal.com]

Aw, I grew up on those books and so the series is a nostalgia kick. I can't see anything unsuitable for kids in it either, which probably proves your point.